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Champions League: The Top Five Goal-Scorers

Originally posted on Hooligan Soccer | By Mark Lim | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 3:47 AM ET

The UEFA Champions League has been the stage for soccer’s most prolific goal-scorers. This list highlights the top five players who have etched their names into the competition’s history with their remarkable goal tallies.

Scoring in the UEFA Champions League is a hallmark of excellence, showcasing a player’s ability to perform on Europe’s grandest stage. Over the years, certain individuals have consistently found the back of the net, setting records and leading their teams to glory. Here, we spotlight the top five goal-scorers in the history of the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Goals: 141
Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
Overview: Cristiano Ronaldo tops the Champions League scoring chart with 141 goals. His tenure at Real Madrid was particularly prolific, his 105 goals contributing significantly to their multiple titles. Ronaldo also holds the record for the most goals in a single Champions League season, netting 17 in the 2013-14 campaign.

Lionel Messi

Goals: 129
Clubs: FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
Overview: Lionel Messi stands second with 129 goals in the competition. His consistent Champions League scoring for Barcelona (avg. 7 goals/season) and later PSG (4.5 goals/season) has solidified his status as one of the all-time greats in European soccer.

Robert Lewandowski

Goals: 101
Clubs: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona
Overview: Robert Lewandowski joined the elite “100-goals club” in November 2024 during Match Week 5, becoming only the third player to achieve this milestone. His goal-scoring prowess has been evident across multiple clubs, with significant contributions to Bayern Munich’s and Barcelona’s campaigns.

Karim Benzema

Goals: 90
Clubs: Real Madrid
Overview: Karim Benzema first tasted Champions League goal scored with Lille, with 12 goals over 3 seasons. But this really exploded once he joined Real Madrid, amassing CL 78 goals over 14 seasons. That experience and finishing skills have been instrumental in to Real’s European success.

Raúl González

Goals: 71
Clubs: Real Madrid, Schalke 04
Overview: Raúl González, yet another Real Madrid legend, scored 66 times over 14 seasons in the Champions League. He also added 9 to this total with Schalke 04. His goal-scoring prowess in the early 2000s set the benchmark for future strikers in the competition.

This article first appeared on Hooligan Soccer and was syndicated with permission.

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